Bob Townsend’s Beer Pick: Ayinger Bavarian Pils

Ayinger Brewery, founded in 1878 in the Bavarian village of Aying, 30 minutes from Munich, makes my favorite German beers.

Among its style-defining offerings, Celebrator Doppelbock, Oktober Fest-Marzen, and Maibock, which given the season, could easily be this week’s Beer Pick.

But, recently, Ayinger and importer Merchant du Vin announced that Ayinger Bavarian Pils, which has been brewed for many years in Aying but never exported to the U.S., will now be available here year-round.

And with spring already turning to summer, it seems, Ayinger Pils is a perfect, food-friendly pick for the hot weather ahead.

A true German lager in the best sense of the Reinheitsgebot, Ayinger Bavarian Pils exhibits an elemental balance of water, malt, hops and yeast in a bright, golden beer that’s the essence of purity, clarity and refreshment. Accordingly, it’s a delightful rejoinder to the host of muddled flavor experiments filling the shelves these days.

At 5.3% alcohol by volume, there’s no need to call it a session beer. It just is. German barley and Hallertau hops create aromas and flavors that range from bready and slightly sweet to crispy, spicy and flowery. And with all that, there’s the creamy head, fine carbonation, soft mouthfeel and bracing bitter finish to recommend it.